Tear-open envelope



lI- 17, 1935.. D. D. OBRIEN fi TEAR-OPEN ENVELOPE Filed April 4, 1955 A9 /0 D.D U"Erien Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES i ATENT OFFIQE TEAR-OPEN ENVELOPE Daniel D. OBrien, Waukesha, Wis.

Application April 4, 1935, Serial No. 14,646

1 Claim. (Cl. 22$-85) This invention pertains to envelopes and the like, and has for one of its primary objects the provision of means whereby the envelope can be readily opened after sealing without employance of extraneous implements.

Another salient object of my invention is the provision of an envelope having its sealing flaps so formed that a portion of the side flaps will be exposed, whereby the same can be readily grasped by the thumb and forefinger of the recipient for tearing open the envelope to expose the contents to View without danger of mutilating the contents in any way.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of novel means for forming the side flaps themselves, whereby the same will constitute a means for opening the envelope without danger of the side flaps themselves tearing.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved envelope of the above character, which will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which drawing:-

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of my improved envelope showing the same in its sealed condition.

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the sealing flap in its raised position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail fragmentary view, showing the arrangement of the cuts in the sealing and bottom flaps for exposing the apex of a side flap.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the envelope, taken substantially on the lines 4,-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of my improved envelope after the same has been opened at one end, the view being taken on a smaller scale than Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the blank of the envelope, taken on the same scale as Figure 5, and with one side flap folded to form the tearing member.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 2, showing a slightly modified form of my invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter E g l y indica es one form of my improved envelope. As shown, the envelope E includes the front imperforate wall l0, having formed integral therewith the bottom flap H, the top sealing flap l2, and the laterally extending side flaps l3 and M. The bottom flap II and the sealing flap l2 are folded on longitudinal lines in the ordinary manner, and after the folding of the side flaps l3 and M on transverse lines, the bottom flap H is secured to the side flaps in any desired way, such as by the use of suitable adhesive.

The sealing flap 52 also carries an adhesive l5, whereby the same can be secured in its closed position after the matter to be mailed has been placed in the envelope.

In accordance with my invention the bottom flap II and the sealing flap l2 are provided with triangular-shaped cutout portions 86, which are adapted to aline or register when the sealing flap is closed. These cutout portions I6 are so disposed as to overlie the points or apex portions of the side flaps l3 and M, so that said points can be readily grasped by the recipient of the envelope so as to facilitate the opening of the envelope. The points can be easily grasped by simply folding the envelope on a transverse line adjacent to the cutout portions 16, so that the points of the side flaps will project through said cutout portions or openings. It is preferred to have the base portions of the triangular openings or cutout portions IQ of an arcuate shape, so that the corners of the openings will readily tear when the points of the side flaps are pulled, it being noted that the side inclined walls of the openings or cutout portions lie alongside of the side edges of the side flaps.

The side flaps l3 and M themselves are formed in a novel manner to facilitate the opening of the envelope, and the formation of the side flaps, constitute one of the important objects of my invention.

By referring to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that the side flaps before folding are of a substantial square shape, and that the sides of the flap are folded on diagonal lines H and I8, to provide side wings l9. The side wings l9 reinforce the flaps i3 and i l, and the flaps have a folded edge to facilitate the tearing of the bottom flap H and the sealing flap l2.

In Figure 7 I have shown a slightly modified form of the invention, and in this form the envelope is generally indicated by the reference character M. The bottom flap 2%) of the envelope M, and the sealing flap 2! thereof. are provided the side flaps 23 and 24 of the envelope.

with single openings 22 and 23, respectively, which are adapted to aline when the sealing flap is in its lowered position. These openings 22 are disposed substantially at the transverse center of the envelope, and overlie the points of This form M of my envelope is opened in the same manner as the form previously described.

Not only do the cutout portions constitute means 7 for facilitating the gpening 1 of 1 the .envelope,'.,but f the :same i also prevent {the opening of the envelope without detection, for if an attempt is made to steam open the envelope, the sealing flap being weakened by the icutoutportions is liable to tear. The tearing of the sealing fiap will call attention to the ifaot .that the envelope has been tampered with.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that I have provided an exceptionally simple form of..envelope, which can bereadily opened without any difficulty at all on the part of the tom and sealing flaps being provided with openringst adapted to register when the sealing flap is in its closed position, said openings overlying the inner ends of the side flaps, said side flaps being of a triangular shape and having forwardly folded side wings, as and for the purpose specifled.

tDANIELDNQZBRIEN. 

